BOSTON — Bruins winger Brad Marchand skated today for the first time since leaving last Saturday’s game against Washington late in the second period.

But the rookie, who classified his injury as ‘lingering soreness,’ was declared “very doubtful” for tonight’s game at TD Garden against Atlanta by head coach Claude Julien.

“I’m feeling better. I skated for the first time right there, and I’m feeling better every day,” said Marchand, who along with Mark Stuart was one of just two Bruins players to take this morning.

Marchand said he didn’t push himself to his maximum intensity level but didn’t have any limitations either.

Marchand also clarified that his injury is probably related to the mammoth hit he took from Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban in the first period a week ago. Marchand played the rest of that game and then the first period and two thirds of Saturday’s game against Washington. He missed Monday’s contest with Anaheim. It had previously been reported by Julien that a hit in the Caps game was what fell Marchand.

With Marchand likely out, expect Daniel Paille to again skate on Boston’s Merlot Line with Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton.